BOE looking for comments on naming park

Thursday

Jul 12, 2018 at 6:51 PMJul 12, 2018 at 6:53 PM

KEYSER - Newly-elected Keyser mayor Damon Tillman would like to see the city's South End Park named in honor of one of its veterans - Clifton E. Brooks.

By Liz Beaverslbeavers@newstribune.infoTribune Managing EditorKEYSER - Newly-elected Keyser mayor Damon Tillman would like to see the city’s South End Park named in honor of one of its veterans - Clifton E. Brooks.Because the property on which the South End Park sits is actually owned by the Mineral County Board of Education, however, Tillman has gone before the board to ask their permission to rename the park. The members of the board promised to put the request on an upcoming agenda.Board member Rob Woy, however, doesn’t want to make a decision until he hears from the public to see if there are other persons whom they’d like considered for the honor.“I think we’d be a little bit out of order to just give our blessing without that process taking place,” he said during a recent board meeting.Woy noted that the BOE had recently named the gym floor at Keyser Middle School for Dan Dawson, but the process had been opened to ideas and recommendations before any decision was made.Emphasizing that he is not in opposition to the park being named after Mr. Brooks, he said, “I think the main thing is that its opened up to the public to make sure everyone understands the recommendation.“Personally, I think its a great tribute to him…. I know his kids. They were good athletes and good people. They grew up in the South End,” he said.At Woy’s request, superintendent Shawn Dilly is inviting anyone with any comments about naming the park after Brooks, or with any suggestions for anyone else who should be considered, to submit the recommendations to him.Mr. Brooks served with the legendary Tuskegee Airmen, an all-black company of pilots, mechanics and technicians who served during World War II.The suggestions may be mailed to Superintendent Shawn Dilly, 36 Baker Place, Keyser, WV 26726, or email him at sdilly@k12.wv.us.The next regularly scheduled board meeting is Tuesday, July 17.

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